Kolkata, Nov 10 West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said attempting to obstruct or intimidate potters during the festive season would not be tolerated, specifically targeting his predecessor Mamata Banerjee and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, whom he accused of making life difficult for idol-makers in Bhawanipur and Kalighat areas of the city.
Adhikari, who visited the idol of Goddess Kali at Sebak Sangha Club’s Kali Puja on Harish Chatterjee Street in Bhawanipur, which also happened to be Banerjee’s residential area, distributed cheques of Rs 7,000 each to 80 potters who he claimed had suffered financial losses due to restrictions and disruptions allegedly caused by the Banerjee family.
He alleged that the artisans, who were ordinary people and had once voted Mamata Banerjee to power, were subsequently subjected to repeated harassment in the name of security arrangements.
Adhikari referred to Mamata as ‘Pishi’ (aunt) and Abhishek as ‘Bhaipo’ (nephew), alleging that the two had made life miserable for the traditional artisans.
“I had come here to meet my potter friends. There were 80 potters whose lives were turned into hell by the very infamous Bhaipo and his Pishi, who lost twice to me. The potters could not sell most of their idols because of their mayhem,” he said.
Adhikari said he did not have as much money as the TMC MP but had tried to extend financial assistance to the affected artisans.
“Each of the potters faced a loss of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. I could not compensate them with that much amount. I gave them Rs 7,000 each from the salary I earn as chief minister,” he said.
Adhikari said several religious festivals, including Jagadhatri, Kartik and Saraswati pujas, were lined up in the coming months and directed the police to take strong action if barricades are erected or restrictions are imposed, preventing the artisans from selling their idols.
“If a single potter is stopped by putting up barriers around their shops, I am directing the OC Kalighat, OC Bhawanipur and DC South to see into it,” he said.
Not a single artisan should be threatened, the chief minister added.
“These people are very ordinary. At one point of time, these people had voted Mamata Banerjee to power, but after that they were tortured like anything,” he said.
“While shedding tears, they told me that every year, guard rails and barricades were put up in such a manner as part of security arrangements for this particular family, especially after this Bhaipo came into the picture, that they could not sell their idols,” Adhikari said.
The CM’s remarks came against the backdrop of the recent late-night clashes outside Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat residence when party enthusiasts gathered to celebrate his 39th birthday. The confrontation between supporters of the TMC and BJP in the early hours of November 7 left a few people injured and also triggered allegations of police personnel being assaulted while attempting to control the situation.
Adhikari also assured the artisans that their grievances would not go unheard and issued a warning to the police administration against any further inconvenience.
“I give you my word that your tears will not go in vain. If you face any problem from tomorrow, I will not hesitate to take action against the police,” he said.
(PTI News)
